UPDATE: Fear grips residents over decomposing body

Many businesses and shops in the Makogi Obesere community of Magboro in the Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State were on Sunday shut after a decomposing body of a yet-to-be-identified man was found in the neighbourhood.

When PUNCH Metro visited the community on Monday, our correspondent learnt that despite efforts by residents to get the relevant government agencies to pick up the corpse, the stench had forced many shop owners and residents to desert the area.

While fearing for the safety of the residents, PUNCH Metro learnt that the community leaders in the area had earlier approached the police divisions in Makogi and Ibafo respectively about the matter when the man started sleeping in an open space and looking sick.

Speaking with our correspondent on Monday, the Chairman of Makogi South Community Development Area, Mr Ishola David, while appealing for intervention, feared the environmental health of the community might be in danger as a result of the smell.

He said, “It all started about five days ago when we saw him wandering in the community. It was obvious he looked weak because he could not respond to questions. Some residents started giving him water with the hope that he would regain his strength.

“He started sleeping in an open place. We reported the matter to the Makogi Police Division and someone came from the station and took some pictures. We told them to come and do something about it. Despite the report, nothing has happened about it.”

A cement seller simply identified as Mrs AKintunde whose shop was close to where the body had been lying since Sunday, told PUNCH Metro that she could not open her shop because of the smell emanating from the decomposing corpse.

She said, “I cannot open my shop because of the stench. I called 112. Somebody picked it up and told me they would come. They asked for the address. I gave them all the information. But nothing has happened since I made the call last night (Sunday).”

Contacted, the Chairman of Obafemi Owode Local Government, Mr Ogunsola Olarewaju, could not be reached for a comment. However, a personal assistant to the chairman who did not want his name mentioned, said the chairman would be informed of the incident.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Omolola Oduntola, was yet to respond to our correspondent’s inquiry into the matter as of the time this report was filed.